2005 grand L3830 Kubota vs 2015 Kubota L3901 ?

Foxl3830 · Jun 8, 2016

Hello guys need some help I own a Kubota L3830 but been looking for a backhoe for it for about a year now found some small 3pt ones with no sub frame and a brand new Kubota one is like 12,000 bucks so I love my L3830 it has everything FEL 927hrs 4x4 heavy duty Loader ect. But a backhoe found a 2015 Lseries 3901 with a FEL and a back hoe and lift arms and 200hrs what do you guys and girls think it depends on trade price ? But I'm thinking about trading for it plus cash this tractor seems a bit smaller and backhoe is a Kubota real nice but seems as though I'm trading down any advice even though this tractor is 10 yrs newer ? Kinda stumped I love my L3830? Help!!!!!!!

TripleR · Jun 8, 2016

I really prefer the L30 Series over the new L's, have you checked the price of a Woods back hoe. When I need a back hoe, I just go rent a mini excavaor, but know it's not practical for everyone. For 12K, I can get a good used, dedicated back hoe.

jeff9366 · Jun 8, 2016

I have had NO issues with the Tier IV emission controls on my L3560. But I would not be in a rush to have them on a L3901. Trading down to a lighter tractor is usually a disappointment.

What tasks do you need a Backhoe to complete?

Foxl3830 · Jun 9, 2016

Well I have like 4 ponds to take care of and clean sediment out of each every so often and just plain use in food plots and around the house I'm leaning towards keeping my tractor and buying a separate machine possibly a minni excavator or back hoe thanks every one still not sure maybe a 3pt back hoe ????

Gary Fowler · Jun 9, 2016

For cleaning out a pond, you would really need an excavator. With a back hoe on a tractor, you can only swing at most 90 degrees to each side of the tractor. This is not conducive to cleaning out a pond (BTDT with my TLB). A tracked excavator can swing 180 each direction so you can dump the spoils further from the pond. I wouldn't think of spending $12 grand for a back hoe to put on my tractor when for the same money you can get a pretty good used excavator. The only drawback to an excavator is the travel speed.

jeff9366 · Jun 9, 2016

Second Gary Fowler.

Tracked excavator puts much less pressure on the ground relative to a wheeled tractor. Much less likely to get bogged than a tractor, with tracks more traction to get out if it does bog.

If you want to nibble at the pond banks, after a spell of very dry weather, consider a Ratchet Rake for your FEL bucket.

POND CLEANING VIDEO: excavator cleaning pond - YouTube

LINK: TRACTOR BY NET STORE

Foxl3830 · Jun 9, 2016

Yes that first video is it yes a small excavator would be perfect my ponds are much bigger but we built small catch basins to collect the silt at the entrance of small springs worked great now they need clean out the key is reach FEL attachement would not work for me here if we get a dry summer soon or if I can find a small pump 2 of the ponds I do believe I can drive right down and scoop out with the FEL I help build them and they have solid clay bottoms ok thanks PS the ratchet rake would be great for some of my food plots to scratch up the soil I think you may have just sold one! I'll have to look it up wonder if they make one for a 72" Loader thanks

Tomtint · Jun 9, 2016

There is a used Kubota BH92 for sale up here at our local dealer. They want 7800.00 for it with a thumb

TripleR · Jun 9, 2016

Foxl3830 said:
Yes that first video is it yes a small excavator would be perfect my ponds are much bigger but we built small catch basins to collect the silt at the entrance of small springs worked great now they need clean out the key is reach FEL attachement would not work for me here if we get a dry summer soon or if I can find a small pump 2 of the ponds I do believe I can drive right down and scoop out with the FEL I help build them and they have solid clay bottoms ok thanks PS the ratchet rake would be great for some of my food plots to scratch up the soil I think you may have just sold one! I'll have to look it up wonder if they make one for a 72" Loader thanks

Good luck, my son and I tried that with one of our ponds, we let it dry for several weeks. We walked out on it and even rode the Rhino and Grizzly, sure seemed sold. When we broke through the top layer with our L5740 and M8540, we went to the axles several times. The only way we could get out was dump the FEL and use it to help us out. We made some progress with the 8540 as you can lock the rear differential and it has limited slip differential, but had to stay around the edges with the 5740, it has Industrials and the M8540 has Ags, what a mess, We decided if we ever did it again, we would just rent a mini excavator.